Selenium in total parenteral nutrition

In clinical practice, selenium deficiency may arise under conditions of chronic malnutrition and especially after long-term total parenteral nutrition (TPN). In infants receiving long-term TPN, we observed plasma selenium levels as low as those previously reported in Chinese children with Keshan disease. Low plasma selenium levels were also usually associated with very low activities of glutathione peroxidase. Although clinical symptoms of selenium deficiency did not occur in our patients, several cases have been described in the literature, indicating the need for supplementation in TPN. In order to derive at the appropriate dosage, it is proposed to correlate it with the total protein supply. According to our present knowledge, .5–1.0 μg selenium/g of protein appears to be adequate to keep patients in Se balance. For Se repletion of body stores, this dosage has been increased up to 3 μg of Se/g of protein. Advantages and disadvantages of selenite and of selenomethionine as possible supplemental forms of Se for TPN solutions are discussed.     

Reversal of selenium and zinc deficiencies in chronic hemodialysis patients by intravenous sodium selenite and zinc gluconate supplementation

In six chronic dialyzed uremic patients, an intravenous sodium selenite (Se 50 μg during 5 wk and then 100 μg) and zinc gluconate (Zn 5 mg) supplementation was performed during 20 wk at each dialysis session three times weekly. Before supplementation, plasma Se and Zn, plasma and erythrocytes (RBC) antioxidant metalloenzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly decreased, whereas lipid peroxidation (as thiobarbituric acid reactants TBARs) was increased. To obtain a significative change in plasma selenium, we had to use an Se dose of 100 μg/dialysis session. Then, treatment-increased plasma Se (from 0.58 ±0.09 to 0.89±0.16 μmol/L) led to a repletion of RBC-GPX (from 29.6±6 to 43±5.8 U/g Hb) and increased plasma GPX levels (from 62±13 to 151±43 U/L). Plasma Zn and RBC-SOD did not vary significantly. The change of TBARs was not observed between wk 1 and 4. They decreased significantly between wk 4 (4.80±0.21μmol/L) and wk 20 (4.16±0.26 μmol/L). We noted a low correlation between TBARs and plasma GPX. A strong correlation was observed between Se and plasma GPX. The reversal of Se deficiencies should reduce oxidative damage observed in these patients.     

Experimental study on interactions between selenium and tin in mice

The organ distributions of tin and selenium, and their excretion into urine and feces, were determined in mice. There were four groups; (A) control, (B) Sn (5 μmol/kg/d) ip injection, (C) Se (5 μmol/kg/d) sc injection, and (D) Sn plus Se (5 μmol/kg/d, each). Animals received injections once a day for 12 consecutive days. The results were the following (1) Simultaneous injection of Sn and Se enhanced accumulation of both elements in the body, i.e., in group B, 14.1% of the total injected amount of Sn was excreted into urine and feces; in group C, 46.2% of total injected Se was excreted into urine and feces; in group D, 10.9% of total Sn and 37.5% of total Se were found in excreta. (2) Large amounts of Sn were found in bone, liver, spleen, and kidney in group B. When Se was administered jointly with Sn, the concentrations of Sn in bone and liver were suppressed, whereas those in spleen and pancreas were increased. (3) The effects of Se-injections at this dose on concentrations of Se in organs were small. (4) In plasma, chemical reduction of selenite by stannous chloride was not observed.     

Selenium supplementation of children in a selenium-deficient area in China

Keshan disease is a cardiomyopathy restricted to the endemic areas of China and seen in residents having an extremely low selenium (Se) status. Prophylactic administration of sodium selenite has been shown to decrease significantly the incidence of acute and subacute cases. The aim of the study was to assess the relative bioavailability of selenite versus organic Se-yeast in a Se-deficient area in China with a randomized double-blind double-dummy design. Healthy children (n=30) between 14 and 16 yr of age were randomized into three equal groups receiving either 200 μg/d selenite Se or 200 μg/d Se-yeast or placebo for 12 wk. Blood was drawn at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 wk and 4 wk postsupplementation. The plasma Se concentration (mean ± SD) was 0.16±0.03 μmol/L at baseline. Selenite and Se-yeast supplementation increased plasma Se to plateau values, 1.0±0.2 and 1.3±0.2 μmol/L, respectively. In red cells, Se-yeast increased the selenium level sixfold and selenite threefold compared to placebo. The relative bioavailability of Se-yeast versus selenite measured as glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity was similar in plasma, red blood cells, and platelets. GSHPx activity reached maximal levels in plasma and platelets of 300% and 200%, respectively, after 8 wk compared to the placebo group, but continued to increase in red cells for 16 wk. Our study showed that although both forms of Se were equally effective in raising GSHPx activity, Se-yeast provided a longer lasting body pool of Se. Se-yeast may be a better alternative to selenite in the prophylaxis of Keshan disease with respect to building up of body stores.     

Effects of excess selenomethionine on selenium status indicators in pregnant long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis)

Forty pregnant long-tailed macaques were treated daily for 30 d with 0, 25, 150 or 300 μg selenium as L-selenomethionine/kg body weight. Erythrocyte and plasma selenium and glutathione peroxidase specific activities, hair and fecal selenium, and urinary selenium excretion were increased by and were linearly related to L-selenomethionine dose. Hair selenium was most sensitive to L-selenomethionine dose, with an 84-fold increase in the 300 μg selenium/(kg-d) group relative to controls (r=0.917). Daily urinary selenium excretion (80-fold,r=0.958), plasma selenium (22-fold,r=0.885), erythrocyte selenium (24-fold,r=0.920), and fecal selenium (18-fold,r=0.911) also responded strongly to L-selenomethionine. Erythrocyte and plasma glutathione peroxidase specific activities increased 154% and 69% over controls, respectively. Toxicity was associated with erythrocyte selenium >2.3 μg/mL, plasma selenium >2.8 μg/mL, and hair selenium >27 μg/g. Plasma, erythrocyte, and hair selenium concentrations may be useful for monitoring and preventing the toxicity of L-selenomethionine administered to humans in cancer chemoprevention trials.     

Sodium selenite therapy and thyroid-hormone status in cystic fibrosis and congenital hypothyroidism

The effectiveness of a peroral sodium selenite therapy (115 μg Se/m² BSA/d) administered to cystic fibrosis patients (n=32) could after three months be identified in a significant serum selenium increase (0.69→0.96 μmol/L), a significant malondialdehyde decrease (2.72→1.64 μmol/L), as well as in a significant serum vitamin E increase (4.31→5.72 μg/mL) Parallel to that, a serum T₃ increase as well as a highly significant decrease in the serum T₄/T₃-ratio were found, too, which point to improved peripheral T₄→T₃ conversion during selenium medication. Type-I-iodothyronine-5′-deiodinase has recently been identified as a specific selenoenzyme. In the case of congenital hypothyroidism (n=37) application of sodium selenite in the above specified dosage yielded a mean serum selenium increase (0.87→1.12 μmol/L), a not significant T₃ increase (2.57→2.61 nmol/L) as well as a not significant TSH decrease (5.34→4.49 mIU/L) without an expected T₄ decrease. With the serum lipids, however, a lowering of total cholesterol (4.85→4.53 mmol/L) simultaneous with a mean increase in HDL-cholesterol (1.52→1.66 mmol/L) as well as a decrease in LDL-cholesterol (2.93→2.52) could be observed. We view the reduction of the atherogenic serum lipid constellation in the course of selenium medication as an expression of increased thyroid-hormone efficacy.     

Selenium in the anterior pituitary of the rat after a single injection of75Se sodium selenite

In order to investigate the selenite metabolism in the anterior pituitary and compare it with other endocrine organs, rats were injected intraperitoneally with⁷⁵Se sodium selenite (5 mg/kg). The rats were whole body counted shortly after injection and recounted just before sacrifice, which was performed 2, 24, 48 h, and 4, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, and 80 d after injection. Besides the anterior pituitary, the selenium content was also estimated in the thyroid gland, testis, adrenals, liver, kidney, and blood. The maximum selenium content was observed in all organs 2 h after injection, at which time the anterior pituitary contained 2.9 μg/g wet wt, compared to 13.5 μ/g wet wt in liver and .6 μg/mg wet wt in testis. The excretion of selenite from the anterior pituitary resembled that seen in most other organs investigated, i.e., an initial rapid excretion and a slower secondary phase resembling a first order reaction. Practically all selenium was excreted by 60 d after injection.     

Selenium status of healthy immigrant parisian preschool children

Plasma selenium (Se) concentration and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx) were assessed in a population of healthy preschool children two to five years old, residing in the city of Paris. In the 118 subjects, mean (±SD) plasma Se concentration was 62.10 ±13.96 μg/L, and mean GPx activity was 23.58±8.52 U/g Hb. Mean plasma Se of male children was significantly (p=0.001) higher (12%) than levels of girls. Plasma selenium levels were not correlated with erythrocyte GPx activity. Children from Mediterranean origin had a slightly lower erythrocyte GPx activity (p<0.05) than children from other regions. Mean plasma Se concentration of this group corresponded to the lower limit of intervals, which characterizes geographical regions of intermediate selenium concentrations.     

Relationship among serum selenium levels,lipid peroxidation,and acute bronchiolitis in infancy

Thirty-four infants with acute bronchiolitis and 25 age-matched healthy controls were enrolled to investigate the possible relationship between serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and selenium (Se) levels and the occurrence and severity of acute bronchiolitis in children. Serum samples were taken for serum Se and MDA measurements, and the clinical score was assessed at admission. Blood was taken again from the children with bronchiolitis at 2 mo after discharge from the hospital. Mean serum MDA levels were significantly higher in patients with acute bronchiolitis than at the postbronchiolitis stage and the controls (4.2±2.5nmol./L, 1.4±0.8 nmol/L, and 0.7±0.2 nmol/L, respectively [p<0.001]). Infants with bronchiolitis had lower mean serum Se levels at the acute stage than after 2 mo (31.7±28.9μg/L versus 68.4±26.4 μg/L, p<0.05, respectively); both of which were significantly lower than the control group measurements (145.0±21.9 μg/L) (p<0.001). There was a negative correlation between serum MDA and Se levels in the patient group (=−0.85, p<0.001). The age of the patient, child's immunization status, parental smoking habit, and family crowding index were not correlated with serum Se, MDA levels, or clinical score at admission. In conclusion, increased MDA levels and impaired Se status demonstrate the presence of possible relationship of these parameters with pathogenesis of acute bronchiolitis, and antioxidant supplementation with Se might be thought to supply a beneficial effect against bronchiolitis.     

Importance of Molar Ratios in Selenium-Dependent Protection Against Methylmercury Toxicity

The influence of dietary selenium (Se) on mercury (Hg) toxicity was studied in weanling male Long Evans rats. Rats were fed AIN-93G-based low-Se torula yeast diets or diets augmented with sodium selenite to attain adequate- or rich-Se levels (0.1, 1.0 or 15 μmol/kg, respectively) These diets were prepared with no added methylmercury (MeHg) or with moderate- or high-MeHg (0.2, 10 or 60 μmol/kg, respectively). Health and weights were monitored weekly. By the end of the 9-week study, MeHg toxicity had impaired growth of rats fed high-MeHg, low-Se diets by approximately 24% (p < 0.05) compared to the controls. Growth of rats fed high-MeHg, adequate-Se diets was impaired by approximately 8% (p < 0.05) relative to their control group, but rats fed high-MeHg, rich-Se diets did not show any growth impairment. Low-MeHg exposure did not affect rat growth at any dietary Se level. Concentrations of Hg in hair and blood reflected dietary MeHg exposure, but Hg toxicity was more directly related to the Hg to Se ratios. Results support the hypothesis that Hg-dependent sequestration of Se is a primary mechanism of Hg toxicity. Therefore, Hg to Se molar ratios provide a more reliable and comprehensive criteria for evaluating risks associated with MeHg exposure.     

Plasma and urinary selenium in Saudi Arabian patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

We measured selenium (Se) levels in the urine and blood plasma samples of 72 Saudi Arabian patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and 70 control subjects of the same origin. To correct for differences in the hydration state of the subjects, the selenium concentration for each urine sample was normalized by dividing it by the concentration of creatinine (CREAT) in the same sample. The median (and range) of the values found for the concentration of Se in plasma, urine, and normalized concentration in urine for the control subjects was 1.306 (0.66–2.50) μM, 0.478 (0.05–2.00) μM, and 56.7 (10.6–426.5) μM Se/M CREAT, respectively, whereas, for the patients, it was 1.246 (0.53–2.45) μM, 0.39 (0.05–1.90) μM, and 75.1 (4.9–656.2) μM Se/M CREAT, respectively. Additionally, the patients were separated into three subgroups according to the severity of their disease state as judged by NYHA procedure, and were then compared to the control group. Only group 4 (the most severe state of the disease) had a significantly lower concentration of urinary Se than the control group. However, the difference became nonsignificant when normalized for CREAT levels. There was no significant difference in the plasma Se levels between the controls and any of the patient groups. As the plasma Se in the control group and in the DCM patients both fell on the low end of the “normal” range, with the patients being marginally lower than the controls, there is no firm evidence from this study to suggest that Se is related to the high incidence rate of DCM found in Saudi Arabia.     

Optimization of selenium status by a single intraperitoneal injection of Se in Se-deficient rat: possible application to burned patient treatment

In order to investigate the efficiency of a single selenium (Se) administration in restoring selenium status, Se and antioxidant enzymes were studied in an animal model of Se depletion. In Se-depleted animals receiving or not a single parenteral administration of Se, plasma, red blood cell (RBC), and tissue Se levels were measured concurrently with glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. The oxidative stress was assessed by thiobarbituric acid-reactive species (TBARs), total thiol groups, glutathione, and tocopherol measurements. Our study showed that Se depletion with alterations in the antioxidant defense system (Se and GPx activity decreases) led to an increase of lipid peroxidation, a decrease of the plasma vitamin E level, and SOD activation. Sodium selenite injection resulted after 24 h in an optimal plasma Se level and a reactivation of GPx activity. In liver, brain, and kidney, Se levels in injected animals were higher than those in reference animals. However, this single administration of Se failed to decrease free radical damage induced by Se depletion. Therefore, in burned patients who exhibit an altered Se status despite a daily usually restricted Se supplementation, the early administration of a consistent Se amount to improve the GPx activity should be of great interest in preventing the impairment of the antioxidant status.     

Pork meat: A good source of selenium?

The knowledge about Se bioavailability from animal food is sparse. This study was therefore initiated in order to evaluate the bioavailability of Se from pork meat in humans. Twelve male volunteers (age 21–30 years) participated in a randomised crossover study with strictly controlled diet containing 170 g pig meat/10 MJ per day and 106 ± 13 g Se/d for 3 × 3 weeks. Complete faecal and urinary collections were made during the last week of each period. Bioavailability was evaluated from absorption and retention of Se and changes in plasma Se concentration and blood glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity. The apparent absorption of Se was 94 ± 2% (100 ± 13 g/d). Faecal and urinary excretion were 7 ± 1 g/d and 39 ± 21 g/d, respectively, resulting in a retention of 61 ± 24 g/d. The diet intervention did not affect plasma Se concentration and GSHPx activity. Absorption and retention of Se from pig meat were high suggesting a high availability. However, the availability of pig meat Se for blood Se protein appears to be low.     

High Dietary Intake of Sodium Selenite Does Not Affect Gene Mutation Frequency in Rat Colon and Liver

Our previous studies have shown that selenium (Se) is protective against dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced preneoplastic colon cancer lesions, and protection against DNA damage has been hypothesized to be one mechanism for the anticancer effect of Se. The present study was designed to determine whether dietary selenite affects somatic mutation frequency in vivo. We used the Big Blue transgenic model to evaluate the in vivo mutation frequency of the cII gene in rats fed either a Se-deficient (0 μg Se/g diet) or Se-supplemented diet (0.2 or 2 μg Se/g diet; n = 3 rats/diet in experiment 1 and n = 5 rats/group in experiment 2) and injected with DMH (25 mg/kg body weight, i.p.). There were no significant differences in body weight between the Se-deficient and Se-supplemented (0.2 or 2 μg Se/g diet) rats, but the activities of liver glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase and concentration of liver Se were significantly lower (p < 0.0001) in Se-deficient rats compared to rats supplemented with Se. We found no effect of dietary Se on liver 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine. Gene mutation frequency was significantly lower in liver (p < 0.001) than that of colon regardless of dietary Se. However, there were no differences in gene mutation frequency in DNA from colon mucosa or liver from rats fed the Se-deficient diet compared to those fed the Se-supplemented (0.2 or 2 μg Se/g diet) diet. Although gene mutations have been implicated in the etiology of cancer, our data suggest that decreasing gene mutation is not likely a key mechanism through which dietary selenite exerts its anticancer action against DMH-induced preneoplastic colon cancer lesions in a Big Blue transgenic rat model. The US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Northern Plains Area, is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all agency services are available without discrimination. Mention of a trademark or proprietary product does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the US Department of Agriculture and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may also be suitable. This work was supported by the US Department of Agriculture and National Cancer Institute.     

Effects of Sodium Selenite and Germination on the Sprouting of Chickpeas (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cicer arietinum</Emphasis> L.) and Its Content of Selenium,Formononetin and Biochanin A in the Sprouts

To improve the nutritional value of chickpea food, selenium (Se)-rich chickpea sprouts were produced by germination of chickpea seeds for 6 days at 28 centigrade in the presence of various concentrations of Na₂SeO₃ in germination solution. High concentrations of selenite were found to inhibit the growth of chickpea sprout and the biosynthesis of isoflavones formononetin and biochanin A. However, chickpea sprouts could tolerate up to ∼50 mg/L of Na₂SeO₃, under which condition the product chickpea sprouts contained a high Se content (2.14 μg/g dry weight) and a moderate high content of isoflavones (601.56 μg biochanin A/g dry weight and 578.11 μg formononetin/g dry weight). Se was incorporated in chickpea sprout in the form of selenomethionine. Thus, Se-enriched chickpea sprouts may serve as a convenient dietary source of Se and of isoflavones, including formononetin and biochanin A.     

Subcellular distribution of selenium during uptake and its influence on mitochondrial oxidations in germinatingVigna radiata L

The metabolic significance of Se in plants is not well documented, though the presence of many selenoenzymes in bacteria and the essentiality of Se in higher animals is established. Since germination is an active process in plant growth and metabolism, the effect of Se was investigated in germinatingVigna radiata L, a nonaccumulating Sedeficient legume. Growth and protein were enhanced in seedlings supplemented with selenium (Se) as sodium selenite in the medium up to 1 μg/mL. The pattern of uptake of⁷⁵Se in the differentiating tissues and the subcellular distribution were investigated. The percentage of incorporation of⁷⁵Se was greater in the mitochondria at the lowest level (0.5 μg/mL) of Se supplementation compared to higher levels of Se exposure. Proteins precipitated from the postmitochondrial supernatant fractions, when separated by means of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), indicated a major selenoprotein in the seedlings germinated at 2.0 μg/mL Se. In seedlings grown with supplemented Se, enhanced respiratory control ratio and succinate dehydrogenase activity were observed in the mitochondria of tissues, indicative of a role for Se in mitochondrial membrane functions.     

Effects of diabetes type and treatment on zinc status in diabetes mellitus

Zinc status was assessed in 53 diabetic patients: 18 insulin-dependent diabetic patients (IDDM), 22 noninsulin-dependent diabetic patients (NIDDM) treated with oral antidiabetic agents, and 13 insulin-treated, noninsulin-dependent diabetic patients (IRDM). Plasma zinc concentrations were in the usual range for healthy subjects in these three groups (15.3±0.9 μmol/L). Urinary zinc excretions were elevated in the IDDM group (18.3±4.1 μmol/24 h;p<0.01 vs normal) and in the NIDDM group (17.5±3.5 μmol/24 h;p<0.01 vs normal), but normal in the IRDM group (11.3±2.4 μmol/24 h). In 14 NIDDM patients treated with transient continuous sc insulin injections, urinary zinc decreased from 16.5±2.2 μmol/24 h before insulin treatment to 11.5±0.3 μmol/24 h after insulin treatment without any modification in plasma zinc concentrations.     

Selenium uptake and its influence on the antioxidative system of white clover as affected by lime and phosphorus fertilization

Selenium (Se) is regarded as an antioxidant in animal and human nutrition, but its biological role in plants needs to be clarified. Plants vary considerably in their ability to tolerate Se, and their biochemical response to Se may be affected by liming or P fertilization. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted with white clover (Trifolium repens L.) to evaluate Se accumulation, tolerance, and the antioxidant response at increasing selenite supply levels (from 0 to 60 g Se ha⁻¹) and the effect of lime and P on both the Se uptake and the antioxidant activity of plants treated with 0, 20 and 40 g Se ha⁻¹. Selenium concentration in plant tissues was increased by Se applications, and plant growth was reduced at Se supply levels above 20 g ha⁻¹. At shoot concentration up to 200 μg kg⁻¹ DW, Se promoted antioxidant ability by increasing the free radical scavenging activity and by inhibiting lipid peroxidation (TBARS), whereas above this level TBARS accumulation increased. Significant changes in the activities of peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) enzymes were also observed as a consequence of the increase in shoot Se concentration. The application of lime and P improved the plant nutrition, which increased the dry matter yield and enhanced the plant’s antioxidative system. Under different combinations of soil acidity and P fertilization a differential uptake of Se by the plant occurred. These factors appear to be responsible for beneficial or detrimental effects of Se in terms of lipid peroxidation of biological membranes and the activation of POD and APX in white clover.     

Bioavailability of selenium from veal, chicken, beef, pork, lamb, flounder, tuna, selenomethionine, and sodium selenite assessed in selenium-deficient rats

The bioavailability of selenium (Se) from veal, chicken, beef, pork, lamb, flounder, tuna, selenomethionine (SeMet), and sodium selenite was assessed in Se-deficient Fischer-344 rats. Se as veal, chicken, beef, pork, lamb, flounder, tuna, SeMet, and sodium selenite was added to torula yeast (TY) basal diets to comprise Se-inadequate (0.05 mg Se/kg) diets. Se as sodium selenite was added to a TY basal diet to comprise a Se-adequate (0.10 mg Se/kg), Se-control diet. The experimental diets were fed to weanling Fischer-344 rats that had been subjected to dietary Se depletion for 6 wk. After 9 wk of the dietary Se repletion, relative activity of liver glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) from the different dietary groups compared with control rats (100%) was: flounder 106%, tuna 101%, pork 86%, sodium selenite 81%, SeMet 80%, beef 80%, chicken 77%, veal 77%, and lamb 58%. Se from flounder was the most efficient at restoring Se concentrations in the liver and skeletal muscle. Se from sodium selenite, SeMet, beef, veal, chicken, pork, lamb, and tuna was not dietarily sufficient to restore liver and muscle Se after 9 wk of recovery following a 6-wk period of Se depletion.     

Evaluation of Lactobacilli from Human Sources for Uptake and Accumulation of Selenium

The trace mineral selenium (Se) is currently in demand for health supplements for human and animal nutrition. In the present study, 25 isolates of Lactobacillus species of human origin from Indian population were screened for their ability to uptake and accumulate Se in a more bioavailable form. Total Se accumulated by cells was measured by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICPES) after wet digestion of Se-enriched cultures. Ten out of 25 isolates grew luxuriantly, as red pigmented colonies, on medium amended with different concentrations of sodium selenite. All the strains when grown in a culture medium supplemented with 10 μg/mL sodium selenite (corresponding to 4.5 μg/mL Se) resulted in Se accumulation in the range of 129.5 to 820.0 μg/g of dry weight (d.w.) as measured using the ICPES method. Elemental Se produced due to reduction of sodium selenite by bacteria was seen as irregular globules under the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Out of all the tested cultures, Lactobacillus reuteri NCDC77 was found to have the greatest ability to uptake Se (28.8 % of inorganic Se in medium) and total Se accumulated was up to 820 μg/g d.w., significantly higher than that of control (742.5 μg/g d.w.). The findings of present study indicate that lactobacilli from human sources have the ability for uptake and accumulation of Se, and the prolific strain has the potential to be explored as an alternative source of organic dietary Se.